SJCL Barpasser Champagne Toast Tradition

The traditional staircase shot! Front row: Caren Curtiss, Mao Lee, Sandra Garcia, and Skye Emery; Middle row: Nellie Peloian, Nichola Krebsbach, Whitney Barnick, Deni Boeve, and Jennifer Oleksa; Back row: Amanda Hines, Craig Waters, William Chaddock, Michelle Errecart, Matthew Green, Alex Newsum, and John Miser. How many San Joaquin College of Law graduates passed the July Bar? The State Bar isn’t saying, but that didn’t stop the Law School from toasting those who announced their own good news on November 21st. The traditional Champagne Reception takes place three days after bar results are released to individual takers. While the night started with 18 Barpassers listed, two more came forward to be celebrated, for a total of 20. Another called in the next day, and yet another turned up at the Bar Admissions Ceremony two weeks later.Many reflected on the wild celebrations which had taken place over the weekend. Meanwhile, Barpasser Craig Waters says he and his wife “celebrated as much as parents can.” Immediately after receiving word he had passed, they went out to dinner with Gordon Park. Park had coached both Craig and his wife on the Fresno State Mock Trial Team. Craig now helps coach the current team. He says Park had a big influence on both him and his wife. His wife will graduate from SJCL next year.Waters is not the only SJCL Barpasser with family connections to the Law School; Jennifer Oleksa’s mother and aunt are both SJCL Alumni, while Andrew Trippel’s father, Craig, is a 1980 alumnus.Waters and Oleksa also share something in common with 75% of the Barpassers who attended the Champagne Reception: both had job offers in hand. Waters becomes an Associate Attorney for Cuttone & Associates while Oleksa is now a Deputy Attorney General. Other Barpassers with “you pass, you’re hired” offers include Whitney Barnick, who becomes an Associate Attorney with John F. Hodge; Caren Curtiss, who takes a position as Associate Attorney with Herr Pedersen & Berglund; Michelle Errecart, now hired as an Associate Attorney at the Law Office of Melanie Aldridge; Matthew Green becomes an Associate Attorney at Gillett Law, Nichola Krebsbach becomes an Associate Attorney with Horswill Mederos Soares & Ormonde; Amanda Moran takes a position as Associate Attorney at the Law Office of David Mugridge; Alex Newsum becomes an Associate Attorney at McCormick Barstow; and Nellie Peloian becomes an Associate Attorney at the Law Office of James Peloian. Skye Emery will make a move from her positon as Law Clerk at the Merced County District Attorney’s Office to become an Associate Attorney at the Casey Aitchison Law Firm.If you are an SJCL July Barpasser not listed, please contact the Law School for a cup of kudos! Meanwhile, congratulations to:Chineme OK. Anyadiegwu Whitney BarnickDeni BoeveWilliam ChaddockCaren CurtissSkye EmeryMichelle ErrecartSandra GarciaMatthew GreenAmanda HinesBrandon HintonNichola KrebsbachMao LeeJoshua LongoriaVictoria MagaJohn MiserAlex NewsumJennifer OleksaNellie PeloianSara SantoyoAndrew TrippelCraig Waters